aples is a city that has its roots in a rich and complex past, where history, legends and traditions intertwine in a kaleidoscope of events that have marked not only the fate of the city but also that of those who lived there. Its streets, monuments and squares tell stories of power, betrayal, revolts and victories, all imprinted in the heart of the city and its inhabitants.
Among its architectural wonders, the seven castles of Naples emerge as privileged witnesses of this past, each with its own uniqueness that fascinates visitors, inviting them to immerse themselves in mystery and history.
Each castle has its own narrative, its own mystery, its own identity that makes it special. But it is not only their imposing walls and towers that arouse interest: these places are also custodians of fascinating legends that are rooted in popular culture and in tales passed down from generation to generation. Myths, stories of ghostly apparitions, curses and secrets hidden among the stones. Each castle, in addition to being an architectural monument, is a universe of stories that speaks of a rich and varied past, making each visit a unique experience.
We are ready to guide you to discover the seven castles of Naples , exploring historical facts and unique atmospheres, which make them even more fascinating.
If you are ready, delve into our words, within their walls and let yourself be fascinated.
Castel dell'Ovo
Located on the islet of Megaride, Castel dell’Ovo (“Egg Castle”) is the oldest in Naples and one of its fundamental symbols. Here, history is intertwined with myth and its roots are rooted in an iconic past. According to the myth, the body of Partenope, the siren who fell madly in love with Ulysses, arrived on this islet. After having tried in vain to seduce him with her enchanting song, the creature, destroyed by the impossibility of living that love, let herself fall into the sea. The waves carried her body to Megaride, where the founding myth of the city of Naples was born, woven of love, sacrifice and destiny.
But the stories of Megaride do not end here. Initially the site of the sumptuous villa of the Roman patrician Lucullus, the site became over the centuries a mighty medieval fortress, the scene of historical and legendary events. The most famous legend linked to the castle is that of the magic egg, hidden – it is said – in its foundations by the poet Virgil. This egg is said to have the power to guard the destiny of Naples: its breaking would be a harbinger of disasters, a fear that shook the city during the tsunami of the fourteenth century. Another mythical figure is linked to Castel dell’Ovo and the sea that surrounds it: Cola Pesce. It seems that the young man, very skilled at swimming and exploring the seabed, spent more time underwater than on dry land. The constant dives slowly transformed him: his body began to cover itself in scales and his legs fused into a tail, until he became a creature half man and half fish. His amphibious nature made him a tireless explorer of the sea depths but it was also his condemnation: one day, while exploring an underwater chasm near Megaride, he disappeared forever, leaving behind an aura of mystery and stories that still survive today. Walking along the Borgo Marinari, right next to the castle walls, is like entering another dimension, where history and legend merge into a single narrative. At sunset, with the warm colors reflecting on the waves, the Castel dell’Ovo transforms into a dream vision, a living painting that tells the story of Naples with its imposing silence. If you listen carefully, you can catch the echoes of a distant time, made of sirens, magical and dynamic eggs that challenged the secrets of the sea.
Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)
Castel Nuovo, more commonly called Maschio Angioino, is one of the most majestic and central castles in Naples, a symbol of power and resistance. Built in 1279 by order of Charles I of Anjou, it was intended as a royal residence and as a fortification against invasions. Its history, however, is not limited to its role as a medieval bulwark: over the centuries, it witnessed crucial events such as the end of the Angevin dynasty and the beginning of Aragonese domination.
Among the most controversial figures who inhabited the castle, Joanna II, the last Angevin sovereign, stands out. Painted by chroniclers as a dissolute and bloodthirsty queen, Giovanna would have welcomed lovers of all kinds into her alcove, even those gathered from among the young, good-looking commoners. Legend has it that, to protect his name, he did not hesitate to get rid of them after having satisfied his desires, using a secret trap door inside the castle. The unfortunates were thrown into a well, where sea monsters – according to some, a crocodile that had arrived from Africa crossing the Mediterranean – put an end to their lives. Always linked to the presence of the crocodile, the castle’s underground areas host two particularly evocative areas: the crocodile pit and the Barons’ prison. The crocodile pit, also called the millet pit, was originally a grain warehouse of the Aragonese court but was used to segregate prisoners sentenced to the most severe punishments. An ancient legend tells that the prisoners, often sentenced to disappear without fanfare, were bitten by a crocodile that entered the underground through an opening and dragged them into the sea. Over the years, the reptile was killed with an ingenious trap: a poisoned horse’s leg, used as bait. After its death, the crocodile was stuffed and displayed on the castle’s entrance door as a warning to visitors.
In the Barons’ Prison, four uninscribed coffins are kept, believed to belong to nobles executed following the Barons’ Conspiracy of 1485.
Despite its tales of blood and mystery, the Maschio Angioino today welcomes visitors as a museum, offering works of art and a splendid view of Naples. Looking out over its walls, you can imagine the panorama of the city as it once was, with its towers dominating the horizon, while the corridors still echo the secrets of a history made of power, legends and mysteries.
It’s up to you to decide how much of these tales are true, as you explore its ancient halls and the evocative Civic Museum.
Castel Sant'Elmo
Located on the Vomero hill, Castel Sant’Elmo is one of the most spectacular castles in Naples, not only for its architecture but also and above all for the breathtaking view it offers of the gulf and the city that appears at its feet. Its construction dates back to 1329, at the behest of Robert of Anjou but it was expanded and modified in the following centuries. Its characteristic star shape is a perfect example of medieval defensive architecture. It is the first castle in the world built with six points; many see the reference to the hexagram of the Jewish people while others still believe that it is exquisitely alchemy, the six-pointed figure being a symbol of the union between the elements of fire and water, thus representing cosmic balance. A mystery that has never been completely solved, a building that over time has also been a place of imprisonment and a military garrison during the Spanish domination. Even in this case, however, it is the legends that make it even more characteristic.
It is said that during the popular uprisings in 1647, the castle became the heart of the resistance against the Spanish and that its walls are still imbued with the dreams of freedom of those who fought there. Furthermore, Castel Sant’Elmo is often associated with tales of ghosts and mysterious presences. Some claim to have seen spectral figures wandering around the dark rooms of the castle and that its atmosphere full of history is wrapped in an enigmatic aura. According to some ancient tales, along the staircase that flanks the castle known as Pedamentina, a ghost lives who enjoys scaring visitors leaving the castle with his white clothes.
This and other delicate facts such as the death of 150 people struck by lightning that fell on the powder magazine of the castle in question in 1587, the alleged presence of an anchorite (religious and mythological figure) who seems to still be in the Hermit’s Cave and many other corners full of charm make Castel Sant’Elmo one of the most evocative of the entire city.
Included in the list of UNESCO heritage sites since 2014, today it represents an unmissable panoramic point with a rich collection of contemporary art to be discovered thanks to the Museum of the 20th century located in the upper prison.
Carmine Castel
The Carmine Castle, located in the neighborhood of the same name, was built in the 14th century by order of Charles III of Durazzo, ruler of the Angevin kingdom. Built in a strategic position, in the southern corner of the city walls of Naples, the fortress was intended to protect the city from attacks from the east, both by sea and by land.
Built with massive blocks of piperno, the castle was distinguished by its essentially military character. Unlike other Neapolitan fortifications, such as the Castel Nuovo already mentioned or Castel Capuano that we will discover shortly, it did not host sumptuous banquets or opulent environments. It was a structure designed for war, with sturdy walls and cylindrical towers that spoke of its defensive vocation.
Over the centuries, the castle witnessed crucial historical events, including bloody sieges and popular revolts. Among the most significant moments, we remember the rebellion of Masaniello in 1647, when it became the base of the popular leader Gennaro Annese his successor, and the resistance of the Bourbons during Garibaldi’s Expedition of the Thousand.
However, over time, its military functions were reduced and the castle underwent significant transformations, especially during the Bourbon period. In the 19th century, it was largely demolished to make way for new urban needs, marking the end of its role as a defensive bulwark. In its place arose the Giacomo Sani barracks, which was also partially demolished for the expansion of Via Marina.
Today, only a few visible traces remain of the Castello del Carmine: some stretches of walls and the bases of the towers that once dominated the surrounding landscape. The structure, now not open to visitors, lives on in the memories and stories of the Neapolitans, as a symbol of a past in which Naples, between wars and revolutions, demonstrated its ability to resist and reinvent itself.
Walking around, you can still feel the charm of what remains of this ancient fortress, a place that, although forgotten by most, continues to evoke the memory of a distant era.
Nisida Castle
Perched on the island of the same name in the Gulf of Naples, the Nisida Castle tells centuries of history and mysteries. Although today the island is known for hosting a juvenile prison and a military base, its past intertwines historical realities and literary suggestions that make it unique.
In one of the most famous legends, Matilde Serao depicted Posillipo and Nisida as lovers destined never to meet. Posillipo, a handsome and sunny young man, loved Nisida, fascinating and mysterious. But their love was destined to remain unfulfilled, separated by an insurmountable isthmus.
According to Serao, Posillipo threw himself into the sea to escape the sight of Nisida, who represented both his torment and his seduction. The gods, moved by the whole story, transformed him into a hill immersed in the sea and Nisida into an austere rock. Thus, the young man became a place of joy, while Nisida hosted the excluded and the outcasts.
No less fascinating is the island’s connection with Roman history. Nisida was the residence of Marcus Junius Brutus, who retired here after orchestrating, with Cassius, the conspiracy against Julius Caesar. It was in his villas that the emperor’s fate was planned. Brutus’ wife, Portia, chose Nisida to take her own life in a dramatic way, swallowing burning coals after learning of her husband’s death.
The island has also been identified with the “island of goats” described by Homer in the Odyssey. According to scholars, Ulysses landed here before reaching the cave of Polyphemus, probably identifiable with the Cave of Sejanus. This mythical image is intertwined with the descriptions of Pliny, who praised the asparagus of Nisida, and Athenaeus, who remembered its wild rabbits.
During the Middle Ages, Nisida saw the construction of a Watchtower on the highest point of the island, part of a defensive system to counter enemy incursions, such as those of the feared pirate Barbarossa. In the viceregal era, the castle was fortified and integrated into the defensive complex planned by Viceroy Pedro de Toledo, which protected the Gulf of Naples. Under the Bourbons, the castle was transformed into a prison, housing political prisoners in harsh conditions.
Today, Nisida continues to be a place of contrasts.
Its imposing figure dominates the landscape, a symbol of resistance and memory. Even Eduardo De Filippo, in his commitment to the boys in the juvenile prison, sensed that the beauty of the island could offer redemption. In this corner of Naples, history mixes with myth, leaving those who observe it from afar struck by its enigmatic charm.
Forte di Vigliena
The Forte di Vigliena, built in 1698, is located in the eastern part of Naples and was erected to defend the city from threats coming from the sea. Originally, the fort was a structure that stood out against the horizon, overlooking one of the most evocative views of Naples, from which one could admire the wide gulf and feel the sea wind mixing with memories of a past of conflict and defense. The architectural design of the fort was designed to make it difficult to spot, with a limited height, which did not exceed six meters, thus reducing its visibility from the sea.
Today, the Forte di Vigliena is in ruins. The walls that once protected Naples from enemy threats are now eroded by time, and the fort, unfortunately, can no longer be visited. Only some of its parts are still visible, silent witnesses to a history of resistance and sacrifice. The moat that once surrounded it and the walls of tuff and Vesuvian stone are now almost invisible, swallowed up by the vegetation that has slowly taken over. Despite this, its presence remains an evocative trace of a distant era, in which the fort was a bulwark of defense against the enemy.
The mystery surrounding the Forte di Vigliena is profound, more so than that surrounding other castles in the city. It is said, in fact, that on stormy nights, the solitary soldiers on guard had strange encounters and visions: figures in uniform who, silently, walked along the ramparts. Some swear to have seen spirits of the defenders, still intent on protecting the city from danger, still dedicated to their mission.
Even today, walking near the fort in the late afternoon or at dusk, you have the sensation of being watched. The atmosphere surrounding the fort is suspended, as if time itself had been stopped. It is not uncommon, in fact, for passers-by to tell of a particular energy that can be felt near the site, as if the past and the present overlapped, confusing the boundaries between myth and reality.
The traces of the battle of 1799, when the republicans attempted to defend Naples from the Sanfedist forces of Cardinal Ruffo, with a desperate gesture that led to the partial destruction of the fort’s arsenal, are now distant, but those shadows of struggle and sacrifice continue to permeate the area, giving the Forte di Vigliena a silent but strong dignity, which only the passing of time has been able to preserve. Today, this ruin is not only a fragment of history but also a corner that invites us to reflect on the strength of resistance and on the memory that continues to live, even in the rubble.
Castel Capuano
Castel Capuano, one of the castles less known by tourists despite its strategic position near the central station, holds a rich and fascinating history that has its roots in the heart of the Middle Ages. Built in the 12th century by order of the Norman king William I of Sicily, it was born as a royal residence but was soon transformed into a defensive fortress. During the reign of Charles I of Anjou, the castle changed function again, becoming first a prison and then the seat of the court of Naples, thus becoming the scene of dark and dramatic events that still echo within its walls today.
The interiors of Castel Capuano are an authentic treasure chest of artistic and historical treasures.
On the second floor is the Sala dei Busti, adorned with 18th-century frescoes and busts dedicated to the most illustrious lawyers of the Neapolitan court, next to the allegories of the twelve provinces of the Kingdom of Naples. Of extraordinary charm is the Cappella della Sommaria, once reserved for the prayers of judges, decorated with stucco and 16th-century frescoes attributed to Pedro Rubiales, brought to light during the 19th-century restoration. No less fascinating are the rooms of the civil court, where frescoed vaults narrate scenes such as the Judgement of Solomon, masterpieces signed by Belisario Corenzio.
Another jewel of the castle is the Alfredo De Marsico library, which houses precious incunabula (the first modern books) and documents that testify to centuries of evolution of law in Naples. Finally, the Museum of Anatomy is a unique place that collects curious and disturbing finds, including the remains of Giuditta Guastamacchia, protagonists of one of the most macabre stories linked to the castle, representing the development of medical science in the city.
Giuditta Guastamacchia was convicted in 1800 inside the Castle for having orchestrated the murder of her young husband with the complicity of her lover – a priest – and her own father. The story was tinged with macabre horror: Giuditta, the chronicles tell, lured her husband (who had discovered her incestuous extramarital affair) into her home with deception, had him strangled and, together with two accomplices, dismembered his body to hide the crime. The remains of the young man were scattered across the woods and seas so as not to be able to reconstruct the crime, but the plan failed when one of the accomplices, captured, confessed everything. Giuditta’s punishment was exemplary: after hanging, her head and hands were exposed to the Vicaria, a chilling warning for the people. Since then, legend has it that her restless spirit returns every April 19th to walk the corridors of the ancient courthouse, leaving behind an echo of cries and moans that seem to come from a distant era and of pains that have never subsided.
But this is not the only legend that animates Castel Capuano. The Torture Room is perhaps the darkest symbol of this past. It is said that extreme interrogations were carried out here and that, in the most silent nights, the moans of the tortured still echo.
Another famous story is that of the “White Lady”, the ghost of a noblewoman who was the victim of a political plot. It is said that her restless spirit wanders the halls of the castle, seeking justice for the oppression she suffered. Her presence, spotted by many, helps make the castle a popular destination for paranormal enthusiasts.
Among the most singular legends, that of the “Talking Skulls” also stands out. It is said that the skulls of executed prisoners were kept in the castle’s basement, capable of answering questions, revealing secrets and predicting the future. Although there is no concrete evidence, the myth persists, enriching the enigmatic atmosphere of the place.
Castel Capuano represents an authentic mix of art, history and legend, a place that tells of centuries of glory and torment. Every room, every corner, is a window onto a past that continues to live and arouse emotions. Although it is less known, it deserves to be discovered and told so as not to let its rich heritage sink into the silence of oblivion.
Between reality and fantasy, Castel Capuano stands like a magnetic treasure chest of mysteries, inviting anyone who ventures there to be fascinated by its timeless stories.
Conclusion
The seven castles of Naples are witnesses to centuries of history and behind each of them there are stories that go far beyond the simple news. Each castle, with its architecture, its legends and its mysteries, represents a key to understanding the soul of Naples a little better. If you also want to know more, you absolutely must explore these places by choosing the Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel as the starting point of your next trip.
We are the perfect choice for a stay that can embrace the main tourist attractions of the Neapolitan scenario with services designed to best accompany you during your exploration and during your refreshment. Quench your thirst with our aluminum water bottles, let yourself be guided by our expert advice and choose the e-bike service to explore the wonders of the city.
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